Guide to the Boro: Rowan Youth Orchestra

College Composition I
Assignment #1 Life on the Boro
February 15, 2011
Rachel Ellis
On Sunday nights, many young people come together to do what they love, play music. These students fill Rowan University’s Wilson Hall with melodies from "The King and I", Christmas carols, and jazzy Cole Porter classics. It is interesting to watch everyone coming together with various instruments of all shapes and sizes. Instead of watching a movie or playing sports, these students find joy in expressing themselves through music. This ensemble, Rowan Youth Orchestra, creates a positive learning experience by providing musical training to youth of various ages in a friendly, non-competitive environment, inspiring many to pursue music.
The Rowan Youth Orchestra’s conductor, E. Warren Gardner, is a dedicated and encouraging teacher whom the students trust and admire. A graduate from Rowan, Gardner majored in music on his instrument, the double bass. In time, he conducted a middle school orchestra for twenty-eight years, a music band for twenty years, and many small group ensembles. When asked why he decided to conduct Rowan Youth Orchestra, he states, "It was an honor to be offered the orchestra nineteen years ago when I started, and it is a challenge to bring together music for such a diverse age and ability group." Regarding choosing pieces for the orchestra, Gardner states, "I pick a variety based on difficulty and genre. I try to pick pieces that will be enjoyable for all sections of the group and feature players that may not have that opportunity with another ensemble." In addition, the students’ age span varies from sixth grade to college. The diverse group also comes from a variety of areas, including Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Cumberland, and Salem counties. Also, the orchestra has many performing opportunities. Besides performing each semester at Wilson’s Pfleeger Concert Hall, other opportunities, including playing in Washington, D.C. in front of the White House and at Liberty Island in front of the Statue of Liberty, give students the experience of playing for an audience outside the concert hall. Also, the orchestra prepares students for competitive experiences, like auditioning for the All South Jersey Orchestra ("Two Violinists Make All South Jersey Orchestra," The Central Record, January 24, 2008). Yes, E. Warren Gardner has brought much to the orchestra and is the main catalyst for the orchestra’s success.
Furthermore, the Rowan Youth Orchestra was a positive experience and benefitted me in numerable ways. At the age of 14, the orchestra was a whole new world to me, filled with new instruments and sounds. For the first time, I saw how big the timpani was and what a bassoon sounded like. I felt like I was a part of something significant and bigger than myself, especially when I couldn’t hear anything but the booming brass in the heroic finale of Pines of Rome. Hearing the different melodies and harmonies in the orchestra created an ear, or an intuitive feeling, of knowing when my part fit in and how it affected the overall mood of the piece. In addition, I learned how to play different dynamics. For instance, when I had the melody I needed to play louder, and when I had the harmony, I needed to step back and support the melody in the other instruments. Also, the atmosphere was friendly and non-competitive. For example, the seating auditions included playing for a tape in a small room without the anxiety of playing in front of judges or a conductor. In addition, I met many friends, many of whom are now my classmates. Thus, Rowan Youth Orchestra gave me the opportunity to learn the necessary skill of playing in an orchestra at a young age without a competitive experience. I learned to love music for itself and play my part, no matter where I sat in the orchestra.
In addition, one of my friends, Taylor, describes her first experience at Rowan Youth Orchestra. A French horn player, Taylor first became a member in 2008 when she was 13 years old. The first experience of playing in an orchestra can be overwhelming for most musicians, especially playing one’s part when hearing all the other instruments playing other harmonies. Taylor explained, "It was hard keeping the pace while hearing the other instruments, but after awhile I got used to it." Also, she sensed a friendly and comfortable environment. "Mr. Gardner was very nurturing," she says. But most importantly, this experience at a young age furthered her development as a musician and inspired her to pursue music professionally. Now a senior in high school, Taylor is applying to colleges for music performance. She also is a member of the advanced and prestigious Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. "The experience of playing in an orchestra in a friendly environment with an encouraging conductor prepared me for harder music and a competitive environment at Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. It also made me realize that playing in an orchestra was what I wanted to do in my life. Rowan Youth Orchestra was an awesome and extremely fun experience."
Consequently, Rowan Youth Orchestra creates a positive learning experience for the aspiring musician. Learning to play in an orchestra with a relaxed and non-competitive atmosphere uplifts the vulnerable and delicate age of youth. Although there are many high school bands and orchestras, Rowan Youth Orchestra offers a more challenging repertoire, ranging from a variety of genres including 20th century music. In addition, many advanced musicians encourage and inspire younger musicians and are good role models. Rowan Youth Orchestra is a foundation for the youth to build experiences that shape their musical futures.